Project description:Cryptococcal osteomyelitis is an infrequent infection which is usually associated with disseminated cryptococcosis or underlying immunocompromised conditions. Here we described a rare case with isolated iliac cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient. Through histological, microbial, and molecular biological examinations, the pathogen was finally identified as C. neoformans VNI genotype, which likely originated from environmental bird droppings. The clinical isolate was hypomelanized but fully virulent in mouse infection model. The patient displayed lower CD4+-T lymphocyte ratio, reduced serum IFN-γ and IL-12, and dysregulated transcriptional profile of blood leukocytes compare with healthy host. After surgical excision and 34 weeks’ antifungal treatment, the patient got clinical cured. Our study suggested that cryptococcosis development was closely associated with the interaction of fungal agent and host immunity. Accurate diagnosis of bone cryptococcosis depends mainly on histological and fungal examinations. A combination of antifungal agent treatment regimen and surgery were quite effective for resolving bone cryptococcosis.
Project description:We report the microRNA expression in patients with multiple myeloma and healthy adults. RNA sequencing was performed for circulating exosomes obtained from the serum of 10 MM patients and 5 healthy individuals.
Project description:Rationale: Airspace macrophages are the most abundant cell in airspaces and are viewed as a homogeneous population during health. Single cell RNA sequencing allows for examination of transcriptional heterogeneity between cells and between individuals. Understanding the conserved repertoire of airspace leukocytes during health is essential to understanding cellular programing during disease. Objective: We sought to determine the transcriptional heterogeneity of human bronchoalveolar lavage cells in healthy adults. Methods: Ten healthy subjects underwent bronchoscopy. Cells obtained from lavage fluid were subjected to single cell RNA sequencing. Unique cell populations and putative functions were identified. Transcriptional profiles were compared across individuals. Measurements and Main Results: Based on transcriptional profiling we identify highly conserved macrophage, monocyte-like, lymphocyte, dendritic cell, and cycling cell populations. We define two unique subgroups of resident airspace macrophages - one defined by a pro-inflammatory profile and one by metallothionein gene expression. We identify distinct subsets of monocyte-like cells and directly compared them to peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Finally, we compare global macrophage and monocyte programing between male and female subjects. Conclusions: Healthy human airspaces contain multiple populations of leukocytes that are highly conserved between individuals and between the sexes. Resident macrophages comprise the largest population and include novel subsets defined by inflammatory and metal-binding gene signatures. Monocyte-like cells within the airspaces are transcriptionally distinct from circulating blood cells and include a rare population defined by expression of cell-matrix interaction genes. This study is the first to define airspace immune cell heterogeneity and identifies three previously unrecognized myeloid cell subsets.